MASAKA/NTUNGAMO. Three top police officers in Masaka District are being investigated by the Police Professional Standards Unit over alleged mishandling of land disputes.

Masaka DPC, Henry Kavuma, the district criminal investigation officer, Mr Frank Ntankovu, and the Land Protection Unit commander, Mr Elijah Mudooba, are under investigation on the orders of the Inspector General of Government, Gen Kale Kayihura.

In a May 26 letter seen by the Daily Monitor, the IGP directed the Police Professional Standards Unit to commission an investigations against the trio.

The letter signed by Mr William Okalany, on behalf of the IGP, says the trio should be investigated over forceful eviction of Ms Zulaika Nakabiri of Nyendo-Ssenyange Division, Masaka Municipality, from a piece of land claimed by River of Life Church without a court order.

In the process, the letter says, Ms Nakabiri lost property, from an illegal eviction from a piece of land that was bequeathed to her by her father, Joseph Mukudde.

When contacted, the DPC, Mr Kavuma, said: “I have not yet received the letter but I acted within the law and I will defend myself when asked to.” On his part, Mr Ntankovu said: “State House is aware of the land dispute between the Church and the squatters. I will defend my actions when the right time comes.”

Meanwhile, police in Ntungamo are investigating the district assistant water engineer over vandalism and theft of boreholes equipment in Karambi, Ntungamo Sub-county in Ruhaama.

Ntungamo DPC Baker Kawonawo said the engineer was arrested after his vehicle was on Thursday impounded by residents at the site where two boreholes had been vandalised and their parts were allegedly being loaded on this vehicle.

“We arrested this engineer after his vehicle that was identified by residents was allegedly involved in the theft of borehole parts,” said the DPC.

The engineer, however, denied the allegations, saying he had only hired out his vehicle to a friend, who had borrowed it to go for a party.

Igp’s demand

The IGP, according to a My 26 letter, wants the PSU to investigate circumstances under which Ms Zulaika Nakabiri was evicted from a piece of land without a court order.